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Block 37 and Joseph Freed? Matt Oct 18 2007

14 comments Latest by Neil

Crain’s: Apple eyes roost on State Street.

Apple Inc. aims to put down roots on State Street as part of the Block 37 project.

Joseph Freed & Associates LLC, the Palatine-based developer of the retail and residential portion of the project, is in talks with Apple, as well as a host of other higher-end retailers…

Conspiracy theorists, start your engines! Surely “Block 37” is a coverup for 37signals…and the developer is one Joseph Freed which must be an alias for Jason Fried, right!?

J/K, everyone knows the only alias Jason uses is Max Power.

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14 comments so far

Tim 18 Oct 07

No conspiracy.

In 2002, the City of Chicago purchases Block 37 for $32,500,000.

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Building/1301/Block_37.php

I don’t think 37signals was even around in 2002. If not, it would sound more to me that 37signals ripped the name and not the other way around.

Mike 18 Oct 07

Conspiracy theorists, start your engines!

Do you care to explain? I lived in Chicago for 7 years and know enough about the history of Block 37 but I don’t quite understand the conspiracy theory stuff.

Chris Cuilla 18 Oct 07

Uhhh…hard to get “tone of voice” and other communications signals from a blog…but…I think it is a joke.

Tim 18 Oct 07

Does anyone else find it strange that this blog entry was updated without notice or comment.

Everything after “Conspiracy theorists, start your engines!” was added after the post was made.

It drastically changes the tone of this blog entry, which now makes Mike’s and mine original comment sound strange since our comments were posted pre-update of this blog post.

ML 18 Oct 07

Hey Tim, I updated the post a few minutes after it launched to make it more clear. Sorry for any confusion.

Tim 18 Oct 07

ML, you’re a pimp.

Keep up the good work guys.

nickd 18 Oct 07

So wait, does that mean Apple would be moving from NMA ? I know rent there is through the roof (Virgin Megastore recently closed on Michigan/Ohio for that reason), and this location would only be a mile or so from their current downtown center.

That article also indicates that they’re seeking a location in Clybourn district, approximately the last place on Earth that needs any further redevelopment. At least it would be high-traffic.

SS 18 Oct 07

Max powers?... “Women don’t make love with Max Powers, they strap in and feel the G’s!!!”

Kevin 18 Oct 07

nickd, no they’re just looking for additional locations. NMA appears to be packed at all hours, so one (or even two) close by stores would help.

Anonymous Coward 18 Oct 07

I don’t think 37signals was even around in 2002

37signals was founded in 1999.

Dr. Pete 18 Oct 07

You’re obviously a shadow front for Apple, bent on their worldwide domination, a plan that apparently starts with purchasing swaths of Chicago. I’m sure your efforts have accelerated since the Gates Foundation has been consulting for charter schools, an obvious ploy by Microsoft to socially engineer our local youth.

When Wrigley gets renamed to “Steve Jobs Field”, we’ll know who to blame.

Benjy 18 Oct 07

So Apple wants a spot on Clybourn? I wonder if the former Gateway Country Store spot’s still vacant :)

Kevin 19 Oct 07

I wish I was cool enough to understand this thread.

Neil 23 Oct 07

I have a live webcam pointing at Block37. Watch the trucks and cranes! I look down at the construction all day so thought it was only appropriate to ‘cam it.

Comments are closed